- Farewell and Thank You.
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Date Posted: Fri, 18 Jul 2025
5th July was lunch party day and time for us to say our farewells to our much-loved conductor, Val. Current and former members came together to thank Val for all she has done for music making in Oxshott. After meeting for a time of reminiscence over a glass of fizz and a few nibbles, we moved into the beautiful flower bedecked hall for a wonderful cold buffet provided by members of the choir,
Celebrating the 50 years of Val's music making with Oxshott, a table quiz on 50 years of musical milestones proved how knowledgeable combined brains proved to be - every one a winner!
After so many memories shared it was time to say goodbye. Our current Chair, Mike Newman, made a presentation of a photo memory book of tours we have enjoyed; historical record books; a Lark Ascending rose and a donation for perhaps, a holiday?
After the presentation of a huge cake (party bags for all!) and a chorus of For she's a jolly good fellow, it was time to leave and look to the future. Val will be much missed but we will keep her legacy going.
So in the words of Val's favourite ABBA song, ''Thank you for the music'.
- Announcement of new MD - Avi Taler
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 May 2025
We are delighted that in September we are welcoming our new MD, Avi Taler
Avi is an Israeli-born conductor, choral director, and educator with a strong passion for community music-making. He studied orchestral and choral conducting at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv and the Royal College of Music in London, where he worked with leading conductors and collaborated on opera and orchestral projects, he has led choirs of all levels and, in July 2023, made his debut at the Royal Albert Hall conducting over 1,100 young singers in a major event celebrating inclusion and diversity.
Avi is passionate about fostering a love for singing bringing warmth, energy, and musical insight to rehearsals. We are looking forward to him building on our traditions of joyful, inclusive music-making.
- Music Won the Cause
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Date Posted: Mon, 24 Mar 2025
As Val enjoys her final season with us in Oxshott and with the Leith Hill Music Festival, she talks about her involvement over the last 50 years with Brian Kay, President of LHMF and previous Festival conductor.
For the text of what was said follow this link.For more information, see: lhmf.org.uk/music-won-the-cause
- Neil Ferris comes to OCS
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Date Posted: Sat, 15 Feb 2025
We enjoyed an energetic and energising rehearsal on 12 February with Neil Ferris, Leith Hill Music Festival Conductor, a big sing of some of the most dramatic movements of the Dream of Gerontius.
It'll be a great concert, tickets are available now and for more information, see the link.For more information, see: lhmf.org.uk/future-events/leith-hill-music-festival-day-2
- Val gets an award
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Date Posted: Thu, 11 May 2023
Congratulations to Val Beynon on receiving an award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey for herservice to the community in Surrey. The award comes as recognition for all Val has done in encouragingmusic-making and singers through the various choirs she has conducted in Surrey.
The citation on the Lord-Lieutenant’s Award reads:‘His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey hereby records his gratitude to Valerie Beynon in appreciation of your service to the community in Surrey.’The award was presented to Val at our weekly rehearsal this Wednesday by Sir Stephen Lamport, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. Val received a standing ovation from all the choir members present and we are all delighted that Val's service and commitment to her choirs over such a long period of time has been recognised in this way.
